Chapter 398: Using It to Summon Medusa?
Paolo Blandelli, the Supreme Leader of the organization "Copper Black Cross."
As he looked at the girl before him, beautiful as a rose, with such a serious expression, he couldn't help but sigh.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Erica."
Of course, Paolo would never distrust his niece, but he couldn't help worrying that she might accidentally get into trouble.
"Be extra careful. The Copper Black Cross is your most steadfast support!"
This additional statement meant that he was fully letting Erica go and would completely support any actions his niece took.
And this niece of his had actually obtained a Divine Authority, yet she claimed she hadn't slain a god.
Through subtle hints, she mentioned that there existed a special being similar to Pandora. By serving this being and becoming their saint, the Authority could be directly bestowed upon her.
Paolo was concerned that Erica might have paid some price to become a saint or that she had been forced into it.
However, Erica's hints suggested that this being was not like those Heretic Gods who acted recklessly.
Moreover, it was subtly apparent that Erica held a strong curiosity and even a slight fondness for that being.
So, this clever and kind-hearted child would not truly drag the Copper Black Cross into serving an evil god.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Erica responded with the same serious expression to her closest relative.
Her parents had passed away when she was very young, so her uncle had raised and educated her all her life.
In a way, her uncle was like a father to her.
That was why he was willing to risk everything for her.
"By the way, since you're returning to London, please visit Princess Alice on my behalf."
"Visit?"
Erica raised an eyebrow slightly, noticing he used the word "visit" instead of "call upon." This usually implied something had happened.
"Yes, it seems the princess has fallen into a coma for some unknown reason."
Paolo had actually planned to go himself, but Saint Raffaello contacted him and several other knights, requesting their immediate assembly at a certain location where a major issue had arisen, requiring powerful knights like him to handle it.
When was the last time such a summons had been issued?
And this issue was clearly related to Princess Alice's coma.
"Alright."
In the blink of an eye—
Erica had arrived in London and reached the place where the two were staying—a small villa with a mansion, which was not an asset of the Copper Black Cross in the city but belonged to that Witch.
Upon entering the courtyard, Erica heard the sound of metal clashing.
"Ha!"
It was Arianna's sharp cry. Was she fighting an enemy?
Her expression shifting slightly, Erica rushed to the backyard at godlike speed and was about to summon her beloved sword when the scene before her stunned her.
Arianna was sparring with him, engaged in a sword duel—no, it would be more accurate to call it training.
However, the sword Arianna was holding seemed excessively large. From a distance, it looked more like a cross.
Hmm?
"That's—!"
Erica widened her eyes. That was no ordinary sword—it was a blade materialized through incantations.
Strange. Arianna shouldn't possess any talent for swords or magic.
How had she gained magical abilities now?
Could it be that this maid had also become one of his Saints?
No, if that were the case, Erica would have sensed that unique connection.
Speaking of which, Arianna's attacks were utterly reckless—she was simply swinging wildly. It seemed she truly had no talent for swordsmanship.
Wait, that's not right!
Upon closer inspection, those seemingly chaotic, purely brute-force swings gave Erica a distinct impression: this was Arianna's unique combat style.
Since she lacked swordsmanship skills, there was no need to force them. Relying on her monstrous strength, she could fight however she pleased—as long as she hit the target, it was the most effective attack.
Indeed, Arianna inherently possessed superhuman strength, and now with enhanced power, her brute force had grown even stronger.
"Eeek~"
With a small, adorable cry of distress, Arianna's sword was sent flying, and she collapsed to the ground as if paralyzed.
The battle was over.
"It seems you and Arianna had quite some fun during the day I was away."
Erica stepped forward, smiling as she spoke.
Her seemingly gentle smile, one that could warm the air, actually carried a chilling undertone.
Normally, Erica would never dare address a god in such a tone.
But after spending these past few days together, except during battles against Heretic Gods when she felt his awe-inspiring divine presence, he seemed almost no different from a human. Combined with his personality, Erica had grown less reserved.
So why was she speaking this way now?
Was it merely because he had granted Arianna power and taught her to fight? Did she feel somewhat displeased?
Of course not—in fact, she was delighted that Arianna had gained strength.
The reason for her apparent dissatisfaction was that he seemed to be teasing Arianna as well.
The most obvious evidence was Arianna's attire. Instead of her original maid uniform, she now wore a frilly, short-skirted maid dress that appeared tightly fitted, accentuating her curves even more.
Coupled with the recent battle, Arianna was drenched in fragrant sweat, her damp clothing clinging tightly to her body—an utterly alluring sight.
"Ah, Lady Erica, you're back! Let me tell you, I can use magic now..."
Arianna rushed over excitedly, chattering away like a child, eager to demonstrate her magic in front of her.
Unfortunately, without formal training, Arianna could only summon a sword. Her other incantations were often mispronounced.
"Alright, calm down, Arianna. It's almost noon—go prepare lunch."
"Huh? Okay."
After Arianna left, Erica placed her hands on her hips and glared at one person, adopting a somewhat insubordinate tone to voice her questions.
"Does Princess Alice's coma have anything to do with you? Huh? W-wait, stop, aaaaaah!"
Amidst adorable cries of distress, Erica collapsed limply onto the ground as her magical power was forcibly drained.
Then, the color of the ground began to darken.
"This is your punishment for falsely accusing me," Renji said with amusement, watching the young lady before him whose eyes were slightly moist and cheeks flushed crimson.
At the same time, his hand slipped into a pocket of the girl's dress, where he could feel something heavy.
Pulling it out to look—
"Is this related to Medusa?"
It was an object about the size of a fist, resembling a round medallion, seemingly polished from obsidian.
Its surface was carved with a somewhat childish and crude human face, with dozens of snakes surrounding it, like hair forming the face.
Such an image, of course, reminded him of the petrifying snake-woman from mythology—Medusa.
So, could this be used to summon Medusa?
It might also be used to summon another being—Zeus's son, Perseus.
He was the hero who slew Medusa.